Leyla Gencer 1924-2008
One of my favorites has passed away. La Diva Turca, La Regina, La Gencer. I have 2.1 days of Leyla Gencer in my iTunes (and I haven’t even completed The Great iTunes Migration yet). What I admire about Gencer is her intense emotional commitment no matter what she’s singing, and she sang a lot of repertoire: in my iTunes alone, I’ve got 2 Gencer Elisabettas, 2 Gencer Elviras, 2 Gencer Gildas, 2 Gencer Giocondas, 2 Gencer Lucrezias …. I could go on, of course. For me, though, it was Gencer’s unique ability to make you feel like she was communicating directly to you which really made her special. The prima donna assoluta, indeed.
To commemorate this great artist’s passing, let’s listen to the Verdi Requiem with La Gencer singing the soprano role.
Leyla Gencer
Franca Mattiucci
David Hugues
Marius RintzierJohn Barbirolli, conductor.
Genoa 1967
Verd Requiem Part 1 Verdi “Messa di Requiem” Part 1
Verdi Requiem Part 2 Verdi “Messa di Requiem” Part 2
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
She was the only other singer that I feel had the “Divine Fire” in her.
Even when she sings ugly with explosive vulgar chest tones and a twisted voice she gets me in the very core of my heart every time…..
She was totally unique! and I consider it a great privilege to have told her so in person.
But… 1 Leyla Gencer posting to my humble blog + 1 Leyla Gencer recently deceased subject of this post = 2 LEYLA GENCERS. Hence, Leyla Gencer wasn’t totally unique after all. (oops, my J.D. is showing, and I’m so ashamed)
If only she could be cloned! :)
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